Owen Orientation 2007
August 13-18, 2007
By Tiffany Gnau, Vanderbilt MBA 2009
New Owen students gathered with their assigned teams on the first day of the 2007 orientation. “Time to start with a clean sheet of paper and draw your future.” That was how Dean Jim Bradford began the 2007 Owen orientation. Dean Bradford told students that his office was committed to providing faculty who care and new adventures for students to engage in. In turn, he said he expected students to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity, be inclusive, lead, and leave Owen aplace better than they found it. Before the week was over, Owen students had heard from three distinguished alumni, listened to presentations from fellow classmates, built walls for seven Habitat for Humanity homes and witnessed Associate Dean John Lehman doing cartwheels because he was “head over heels” for Owen students.
Owen Names CLARCOR Impact Award Winners
May 3, 2007
Five rising first-year Vanderbilt MBA students have received the CLARCOR Impact Award. The students were nominated by their classmates, faculty and staff for being leaders within the Owen community. Pictured (l-r) are winners Cory Darling and James Butler, Owen Dean Jim Bradford, and winners Isaac Rogers and Sharran Srivatsaa. Not pictured: winner José Paez. Each of the award recipients received $5,000. CLARCOR Inc. (NYSE: CLC), based in Franklin, Tennessee, is a maker of environmental filtration products.
Owen Alumni Sparkle at “The Magic of Business”
April 21, 2007
The Vanderbilt Student Life Center was transformed into an elegant ballroom Saturday evening as over 300 Owen alumni, faculty, staff, spouses and friends from across the country gathered to mix and mingle to the theme “The Magic of Business”. Partygoers were entertained with close up magic prior to dinner and a lively mind-reading show after. Chris Baxley, outgoing president of the Owen Student Government association, shared the stage with Vanderbilt Provost Nick Zeppos and Dean Jim Bradford as they acknowledged special members of the audience – five past and present alumni board presidents and five Founder’s Medalists, as well as board members, new faculty chair holders and current student scholars. Attendees included both MBA and EMBA graduates representing 36 of the 38 graduating classes.
A highlight of the evening was a video premiere featuring alumni, students and faculty sharing their perspectives of the Owen experience. (Stay tuned as the video makes its way to a city near you in the coming months.) | view event slideshow
Walker Library 25th Anniversary Celebration
April 19, 2007
On Thursday, April 19, the Walker Management Library celebrated its 25th anniversary. Around 70 students, faculty and staff enjoyed cake and champagne to commemorate the occasion. Jim Bradford, Dean of the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management and Ralph Owen Professor for the Practice of Management, welcomed attendees and spoke about the importance of the library to the school. Flo Wilson, director of the library, spoke about the library’s history and thanked the many people who contributed to its success, including several former Walker librarians who were present at the event. Germain Böer, Professor of Management, and Dewey Daane, Frank K. Houston Professor of Finance, also shared their memories of the library.
Owen Participates in 19th Annual Duke MBA Games
April 13-15, 2007
This April, ten Owen students traveled to Durham, NC, to participate in the 19th Annual Duke MBA Games, a lighthearted sports competition involving teams from top business schools. Owen students competed against such teams as Columbia, NYU, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, Ohio State, Babson, Georgetown and Western Ontario (Ivey). Owen placed 5th out of 14 teams, making a strong showing as rookies to the games. Highlights included a first-place finish in the Bean Bag Toss, and Kari Boersma’s first-place finish in the women’s 50 Meter Dash. The Tug-O-War team of James Butler, Lanny Teets, Matt Garrett, Liz Pavlic, Suzanne Gerus and Kari Boersma fielded an amazing semi-final performance against eventual champs Carnegie Mellon. Joining the Owen team were Richard and Gillian, two athletes from the Special Olympics of North Carolina. “Their efforts on the field as well as their spirit off the field were truly inspiring,” said P.J. Rudolph (MBA 2008).
The Vanderbilt MBA Capitalist Ball
April 13, 2007
On Friday night, April 13, 2007, Owen students broke out their finest (or craziest) formal attire and made their way downtown for the annual Capitalist Ball, sponsored by the Owen Student Government Association. Held at the City Club of Nashville on the 20th floor of the Suntrust building, the party featured spectacular views of the city and a live band. In spite of stormy weather, turnout was high and the party lasted well into the night.
Owen Teams Place 2nd and 16th in MIT Sloan Operations Competition
April 11, 2007
Two teams from Owen participated in the 3rd Annual MIT Sloan Operations Simulation Competition, placing 2nd and 16th out of 65 MBA teams from around the world. The competition was hosted by Responsive Learning Technologies, using their Littlefield Technologies factory simulator to determine who could run the most profitable factory. The 65 teams hailed from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, CEIBS, Berkeley, Dartmouth, Purdue, Babson, Washington University, Wisconsin, Rochester, Toronto, SMU and more, with a team from Yale placing 1st. The Owen team that placed 2nd was comprised of Suzanne Gerus, Kyle Kellinghaus, Michael Klarman and Michael O’Brien (all MBA 2008). The Owen team that placed 16th included Niral Dhruve, Heping Ding, Yuichiro Hakuta and Asif ilahi Sulaiman (all MBA 2008).
Marketing Madness
April 14, 2007
Owen was overcome with "Marketing Madness" the evening of April 14. More than 100 students, faculty and staff attended the event, which was organized by the Vanderbilt Marketing Association. Teams competed to lure attendees to try their products and decide which booth had developed the most successful marketing campaign. Teams used displays, games and contests to promote a range of products, including Heinz, Cottonelle, Manwich, the Nashville Predators, David Sunflower Seeds and E&J Gallo wines. The American Airlines team took home the Marketing Madness title and a $500 dollar award.
Boardroom Breakfast with Peter W. Schutz
"The Porsche Story: Implementing Decisions"
April 4, 2007
Vanderbilt Executive Programs, The North Highland Company and Vistage, the World's Largest CEO Membership Organization, welcomed former Porsche CEO, Peter W. Schutz, to the Owen Graduate School of Management on April 4 as part of its Boardroom Breakfast series. Schutz led Porsche from its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany between January 1981 and January 1988, a time marked by incredible growth and profitability for the company following its first money-losing year in 1980. During his hour-long engagement with some of Nashville's top business leaders, Schutz focused on the topic of implementing decisions in a fast-moving business environment as well as the importance of the people behind those decisions. "Cars don't win races, people do," noted Schutz, author of the best-selling book, 'The Driving Force: Extraordinary Results from Ordinary People.'" "Change, in an organization, is your biggest ally. If you build an organization with enthusiastic people who are willing to embrace change, you will come out on top."
Distinguished Speaker Series: Eduardo Castro-Wright, Wal-Mart
March 28, 2007
On March 28, 2007, the Latin Business Association teamed with the Distinguished Speaker Series to host Eduardo Castro-Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart North America. Mr. Castro-Wright entertained approximately 100 MBA students, faculty and staff with his discourse "Lessons from a Global Retailer." He spoke about his experiences within different companies and cultures all over the world. He also spoke about some of the current challenges Wal-Mart faces to adopt its North American model throughout the world, particularly in places where there are significant cultural differences. At the end of the event he answered questions from the audience.
Speaker Event: Vanderbilt Alum Bill Samuels, President of Maker's Mark
March 15, 2007
On March 15, 2007, Owen United teamed with the Isocratic Society of the Vanderbilt Law School to host Bill Samuels Jr., president of Maker’s Mark and 1967 Vanderbilt graduate. Samuels entertained approximately 100 MBA and law students, faculty, staff and alumni with fascinating stories about growing up in the Kentucky bourbon industry. He traced his colorful life from a four-year-old child listening to the advice of his godfather, Jim Beam, to taking the reins at Maker’s Mark, the distillery his family started in 1958. Samuels also told the audience how the company developed its marketing strategy, which was strongly based on the personality of his father, and shared some of his favorite Maker’s Mark advertisements. After the lecture, guests enjoyed a bourbon tasting in the lobby, along with gourmet cheese, bread and olives. Each attendee received a cocktail glass dipped in the traditional Maker’s Mark wax, customized in Vanderbilt black and gold.
The Owen Global Food and Culture Festival
March 22, 2007
Each year, the Global Business Association organizes one of the school’s most treasured events, the Global Food and Culture Festival. The 2007 event was hailed by many as one of the best yet, as students took advantage of the perfect spring weather to extend the event into the Owen Courtyard. Ten enthusiastic teams collaborated to showcase the food, clothing, music and culture from a country or region, and the faculty-staff judges found it quite difficult to choose winners from this outstanding field of competitors. Eventually they selected four winning teams—Taiwan, India, Japan and Scotland—who demonstrated their cultures in very unique and appealing ways. “Three things that differentiate Owen from many other schools were present last night: diversity, hard-working students and a strong sense of community,” said first-year MBA student Jose Paez.
Vanderbilt MBAs Place Second in National Real Estate Competition
February 28, 2007
Congratulations to Kristin Arterburn, Mark Becher, Denver Glazier and Michael Augustine for their second place finish Friday, February 23, at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Real Estate Development Case Competition. This premier MBA real estate development case competition draws students from many of the top real estate programs in the country. In the span of two days, teams were asked to create a full development plan, including a financial analysis, project design and timeline. The competition included 15 top business schools, with Vanderbilt, NYU, Emory and Wharton competing head-to-head in the final round. The Owen team was narrowly edged out by NYU. Other competing schools included: Chicago, Columbia, Tuck, Georgia, Ross, Kellogg, Rice, McCombs, UCLA, Kenan-Flagler and Darden.
Professor Hoeffler Dissects Branding at Executive Programs Learning Event
February 22, 2007
The importance of building, measuring, and leveraging a strong brand in today’s marketplace can be the fine line that a business walks between success and failure. Owen Associate Professor of Marketing, Steve Hoeffler, shared his views and expertise on the topic in an interactive learning event and breakfast on February 22 at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center. Presented by Vanderbilt Executive Programs and attended by Owen alumni, prospective Executive MBA students and local business leaders, the event touched upon many key branding components, including: building brand equity, leveraging existing equity, capturing the essence of a brand, formulating and executing a brand extension strategy, and understanding brand positioning and differentiation.
Tradeshow Showcases Student Innovations
February 14, 2007
In Professor David Owens’ New Product Design course, students invent, design and prototype a new product of their own. On February 14, the students showcased their innovations at a tradeshow in the Owen lobby. The entire Owen community was invited to test the products and ask questions. The products gave visitors insight into the future of media technology, including innovations in television, internet media and computer storage.
Training the Street
February 16, 2007
From February 16-17, 2007, a group of Owen students attended Training the Street, a two-day financial modeling workshop that helps bridge the gap between classroom theory and the real world of work. Students build their own interactive financial model from “scratch” to practice blending accounting, finance and Excel skills. This experience helps give students a competitive edge during interviews for internships and full-time positions. Understanding financial models is essential to success in investment banking, consulting, marketing, brand management and other master's level positions. Other Training the Street workshops available to Owen students include Corporate Valuation (fall) and LBO Modeling (spring).
Professor Vogus, EMBA Alum Entertain in Owen United Event
February 15, 2007
In the second Owen United event, the crowd in Averbuch auditorium was treated to a musical duo: Professor Tim Vogus and alumna Sheri DiGiovanna (EMBA 2005), otherwise known as “The Singing MBA.” Professor Vogus, a professed hip-hop music fanatic, entertained the crowd with a rap about the Leading Teams and Organizations class, and spoke about the three things that mean the most to him: hip-hop, his family and his research. Sheri talked about how she skillfully integrates music, family and her job at Vanderbilt, and showed one of her music videos, which features her daughter. The Owen United events are designed to help the Owen Community learn more about each other outside the classroom.
Owen Culinary Society Creates Tasty New Tradition
February 19, 2007
In the fall of 2006, a group of Owen students cooked up a new idea for a club, and the results have been enjoyed throughout the Owen community. The Owen Culinary Society has hosted five successful events, bringing together students, faculty and staff to enjoy carefully prepared dishes from a variety of cuisines. On November 14, OCS celebrated Thanksgiving with a potluck dinner in the Owen lobby. The event was a huge success, with over 35 people enjoying a delicious meal of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and much more. (Read an entertaining story about the event on the blog of first-year student Isha Giezynska, VP of Events for OCS.) On December 1, OCS held Ragin’ Cajun Night, celebrating the spirit of Louisiana with shrimp creole, red beans and rice, muffaletas, bananas foster, Hurricanes and other New Orleans-style treats. On Feb. 15, Isha cooked and shared the delicious foods of her native Poland, including chicken in mushroom sauce and bigos (a combination of sauerkraut and meats). OCS is sponsoring the Latin American team for the Global Food and Culture Festival on March 22.
Doing Business in China: Forum Provides Practical Advice
February 12, 2007
On February 12, 2007, Vanderbilt law student Tracy Kane presented “China and the WTO - Beyond the Rules: Implications for Businesses on the Ground in China” to a group of students, faculty and businesspeople in the fifth installment of the Vanderbilt China Business Forum. The event took place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Owen’s Averbuch Auditorium. Kane has considerable experience doing business in China, including positions at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and as Asia-Pacific Regional Director for Gibson Musical Instruments. Her presentation detailed the history of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and the country’s commitments to market access for goods and services. Kane used case studies to help attendees learn about business issues involving diplomacy, market exit strategies, litigation and more. To join the Vanderbilt China Business Forum mailing list and receive announcements about future events, email barbara.haselton@owen.vanderbilt.edu or call 343-1378.
Discover Weekend 2: Prospective MBA Students Preview Owen
February 10, 2007
Owen’s Management Hall was filled to capacity with prospective Vanderbilt MBA students and their significant others during Discover Weekend 2, February 9-11, 2007. The weekend offered prospective students the opportunity to experience Owen in person and interact with current students, faculty, staff and alumni. Presentations and panel discussions showcased the unique Owen curriculum, financial aid, admissions requirements and career resources. On Saturday, faculty members gave prospective students an exclusive preview into life in the Owen classroom. Organization studies professor Tim Vogus presented his research on how mindful organizing can reduce medical errors, while marketing professor Steve Hoeffler led the crowd through a hands-on exercise to develop a “brand mantra” for Starbucks. John Hamilton, associate director of the Career Management Center, moderated a panel of students in a discussion about the job search and the many resources available. The day also included presentations by Dean Jim Bradford and Associate Dean Jon Lehman, a student/alumni panel, tours of campus, a driving tour of housing options, interviews with admissions officers and a casual reception at Bailey’s Pub & Grill in downtown Nashville. Sunday was open to allow prospective students to explore Nashville on their own.
First “Women in Business Symposium” a Success
February 9, 2007
Prospective Vanderbilt MBA students were invited to Nashville on February 9, 2007, to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing women in business. The event was held at Maggiano’s Little Italy, and included presentations, panel discussions and a luncheon. Attendees heard first-hand from students and alumni about what life is like as a woman in the Vanderbilt MBA program and in post-MBA careers. Jacqueline Shrago, entrepreneur and CEO of ThinkLink Learning, spoke to participants regarding issues facing women in business and how to succeed. Attendees were encouraged to stay for Discover Weekend, as content for the events did not overlap.
Owen Students Place Third in Key Foundation MBA Case Competition
February 9, 2007
A team of Owen students took third place at the Key Foundation Minority MBA Case Competition III, held at the KeyBank corporate headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 2-4, 2007. Fifteen schools with MBA programs were represented. The Owen team consisted of Don Johnson, Jacqueline Brooks, Kwesi Dodi and Clifford Adjei-Bekoe. Jacqueline Brooks was honored as one of the four best presenters at the competition. The competition featured a never-before-used case topic addressing business issues with diverse implications. Teams of three, with one alternate from invited colleges, competed, with each student benefiting from the opportunity to develop important professional skills such as analyzing and responding quickly to often-complex business issues. Students also honed their communication and team-building talents while learning from the expertise of business executive judges and moderators.
Distinguished Speaker Series: John Faraci, International Paper
February 7, 2007
On February 7, the Owen Distinguished Speaker Series welcomed John V. Faraci, chairman and chief executive of International Paper, a global paper, packaging and forest products company with over 70,000 employees worldwide and sales of $22 billion. Averbuch Auditorium was packed to capacity for the event. After a discussion of International Paper’s corporate transformation plan, Faraci outlined his top four qualities for leadership: 1. Embody trust and integrity; 2. Know what’s important; 3. Be willing to make choices; and 4. Be willing to make mistakes. Faraci illustrated his points with a video clip from Coach Lou Holtz, who described losers as those who “cop out, hold out or drop out,” while winners go “all out.” “In my view, we’re going all out,” Faraci said. “We’re playing to win. Our best days are ahead of us.” Faraci’s presentation included a video that showed how International Paper’s products touch our lives in myriad ways, including office paper, books, coffee cups, and cardboard boxes. The presentation concluded with a lively Q&A session.
Dell Operations Executive Speaks at Owen
February 5, 2007
Steven Cook, director of manufacturing operations for Dell’s Nashville plant, addressed over 50 students and faculty on Monday evening, February 5, at the Owen Graduate School of Management. Cook treated the audience to a candid discussion of Dell’s much-discussed supply chain logistics and how operational efficiency contributes to Dell’s competitive strategy. Cook also commented on Dell’s response to shifting economics in the PC industry and on Michael Dell’s recent return as CEO.
OBSA Welcomes Historic Civil Rights Leader
February 2, 2007
The Owen Black Students Association welcomed civil rights pioneer and Vanderbilt Distinguished University Professor, Reverend James Lawson, to Benton Chapel at the Vanderbilt Divinity School on Friday, February 2, 2007, in celebration of Black History Month. Lawson touched upon his unique experiences, perspective, and sacrifices as a leader of the civil rights movement, revisited his role in the historic Freedom Rides of 1961 and drove home his underlying message of shaping society. “Genuine power does not come from the top down, but from the people,” noted Lawson. “Each and every person has a role to play in shaping the course of our nation and our own society as a whole.” As a divinity student at Vanderbilt in the late 1950s, Lawson trained and led activists in Nashville’s successful sit-ins to end segregated lunch counters. He also played a leading role in the march on Washington and was hailed by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.” Lawson’s activism led to his expulsion from Vanderbilt. After protests by some at the university, he was invited to return in 1960, but chose to finish his degree elsewhere. In 2005, Lawson received Vanderbilt’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. For more on how current Vanderbilt students and faculty participated in a “rolling seminar” to retrace the 1961 Freedom Rides, click here. - Amy Wolf and Vanderbilt University Daily Register contributed to this story.
Symposium Links International Students to Alumni for Career Advice
February 2, 2007
br /> On Feb. 2, 2007, the day Nashville welcomed its first real snowfall of the winter, Owen welcomed several alumni back to campus to share career advice with international students. The annual International Symposium is designed to help support international students seeking employment in the U.S. The Symposium featured an alumni panel discussion, a keynote address and Q&A session with immigration attorney David Ware, a networking lunch and mock interviews. The alumni panel shared their successful strategies for landing positions with U.S. companies, and fielded questions from the group. Panelists included Manuel Delgado (MBA 1997), REALITY Hispanic Marketing & Research; Paola Montalva (MBA2004), QUALCOMM; Sharon Wijangco (MBA 2006), Credit Suisse; and Luis Mirabal (MBA2004), QUALCOMM. Several alumni also conducted mock job interviews with international students to help prepare them for their search. Students attending the event represented a variety of countries, including China, India, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
Students “Called” to Action; Say Thanks to Generous Alums
January 23, 2007
The phone lines were quite busy on Tuesday, January 23 as 33 MBA students took part in Development and Alumni Relations’ Second Annual Student “Thank You” Campaign, reaching out to over 500 recent Owen donors to acknowledge their generosity and support. The campaign, which was well received last year, also provided an opportunity for the students to connect with alumni and share their unique Owen experiences.
Owen Students Host CEO of Thomas Nelson
January 10, 2007
Mike Hyatt, the President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, was the guest speaker at the Owen Christian Business Fellowship meeting January 10, 2007. Hyatt has had an extensive career in the publishing business, and he has also written several books of his own, including a New York Times bestseller. Hyatt shared stories about his career and his current challenges as a CEO, including taking the company private last year.
100% Owen Marks Decade of Community Impact
January 8, 2007
In 1996, a group of Owen students formed new organization with an ambitious goal: getting 100 percent of the school's faculty, staff and students to volunteer in the community. This year, 100% Owen celebrates a decade of giving back in the local community through activities and fundraisers for several Nashville organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Nashville, Pencil Partners, Toys for Tots and the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, among others. From raising money for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to mentoring kids in after-school programs, the contributions of the Owen community have been signficant over the past 10 years...a legacy that continues this year. The group recently marked an all-time high participation rate of nearly 85 percent, thanks in part to including the dimension of volunteer service into new student orientation. "Getting involved in and giving back to the community is an important part of becoming a well-rounded and productive business leader," said Heather Webb, co-president of 100% Owen.
Hungry for Knowledge? Discover Owen United December 6, 2006
The email invitation piqued curiosity throughout the Owen school: “Hungry for knowledge? Go beyond the myths and legends. Get to know your fellow students, faculty and alums outside their professional personas.” This was an invitation to the first official event organized by Owen United, a group whose mission is to further discussions among the Owen Community—outside of the classroom. The large crowd who showed up for the event at Averbuch Auditorium on Dec. 6 were treated to “a no-holds-barred discussion of non-course material” featuring current professor David Owens and former professor Bill Dickson. The event was organized by several MBA students and moderated by second-year Rob Hill. The charismatic Bill Dickson, age 83, regaled the crowd with fascinating stories about how he helped found Owen in 1969, then located in a funeral home. “When I came for my interview, I saw an open casket and got whiffs of formaldehyde,” Dickson said. Professor Owens shared stories about his life outside of Owen, professing a lifelong love for “making stuff” that he has passed down to his daughters. A mix of faculty, staff and students attended the event, where they were encouraged to ask questions. The response from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive. According to Hill, the group plans to hold at least two more events in the spring.
Students Present India Day
November 30, 2006
The evening of Nov. 30, the Owen lobby came alive with the colors, sounds and energy of India. “India Day,” an event organized by the Global Business Club, was designed to educate the Owen community about Indian culture and business. Indian students came dressed in traditional attire, and each visitor to the event had a “tikka” placed on their forehead as they entered the room. Welcoming guests at the entrance was a “rangoli,” a form of Indian art using colored rice. The evening began with MBA student Meena Putatunda singing the Indian national anthem, “Jana-Gana-Mana.” The event also included an Indian classical dance by MBA student Suruchi Sharma, as well as a discussion of Indian business customs, tourism, Bollywood and cricket. The evening concluded with an introduction to Indian food, followed by an authentic three-course dinner catered by a local Indian restaurant.
Fall Showcases Distinguished Speakers
November 30, 2006
The fall of 2006 continued the tradition of excellence for Owen’s Distinguished Speaker Series. This student-organized program brings C-level executives to campus to share insights about their business opportunities and challenges.
